How to Organize Those Christmas Decorations

Simple steps will help you to organize those Christmas decorations so that you will always know where everything is. Just think! You will be able to walk up to the right box and actually 'find' what you are looking for!

Label It - If you have fashioned the perfect length garland for your stairway, don't just shove it in a box with all of the other garlands. Label it by using a tie-on tag or even a 3x5 card attached with a twist tie. Or, put it in a separate labeled box, or into a marked white plastic trash bag.

Keep 'Like' Things Together - Tape a bag of extra light bulbs to the end of the light string... leave that 'just right' size extension cord, with your lit Santa... store the wreath hanger with your wreath decorations. Keep the' floor protecting plastic' with your tree stand, holiday placemats with holiday dishes, etc.

Make an "Open First" Box - Buy one large brightly colored plastic bin (or make a large colored sign for a cardboard box). This will help you to easily find it next year. Use the box to store the items you'll need "first" during the holidays. It might include your tree stand, holiday cards, gift tags, wreath decorations, cookie cutters, extension cords, and special holiday display decorations.

Paper or Plastic? - Some experts recommend that treasured ornaments should not be stored in plastic boxes due to concerns about trapped humidity. However, I've used plastic for years and haven't had a problem. The advantage to plastic is that it won't "break down" over time the way cardboard does, and it is easily washed. Adding a package of silica will help take care of the humidity problems too.

Make an Ornament "Hanger Parts" Box - Use a shoebox size plastic bin to store ornament hangers. Keep it handy in your "first box" and fill it with hooks, rolls of small ribbon, cording,thumb tacks, scissors, tags, twist ties, and craft wire. Use the ribbon to replace broken ornament ties or lengthen current ones.

Lights - Wind lights neatly in your hand or around cardboard or a coat hanger. Keep all lights together in a large plastic tub. Use individual Zip-lock storage bags to separate light strings with a special purpose (for wreaths, tiny trees, etc.) and clearly mark the use on the bag. On top of all the lights place the extension cords you use for your holiday tree and other decorations, marked and ready for next year. Lights can be marked with permanent marker on the plug in your own code ("50-Tw" = 50 twinkling lights).
Keep the box with the outdoor lights handy and marked 'Decorating outside #1' so that you will know which ones need to be hung first.

Ribbons and Bows - Many types of ribbons will survive well if packed loosely in a plastic box.

Wreaths - Artificial wreaths can be kept successfully from year to year. Remove wired or metal decorations if you're worried about rust. Place the wreath in a wreath box, in a large square box, or even in a large plastic trash bag. If you have room you might even hang the wreath on a wall in your garage or basement and cover it securely with plastic to keep it dust-free.

Glass Ball Ornaments - Reuse the original boxes if sturdy enough. Otherwise use one of the divided storage boxes available in home centers. The important thing with glass is to keep ornaments apart and to cushion them somewhat from bumps.

Individual Ornaments - To store the one-of-a-kind ornaments that our children have made through the years, Make sure that you wrap them in bubble wrap or several sheets of paper toweling. These should be nested in a box seperate from all other ornaments and labeled appropriately.

Table and Bathroom Towels- should alway be stored together and don't forget to add the placemats and Christmas doilies to this box. Label this box #2, since you will be using it at approximately the same time that you hang the Christmas lights, to give you home that festive glow and to get you into the holiday spirit. I also line the inside of my storage box with tissue paper and then throw some potpourri on top, something like cinnamon and apples is always nice to smell when you open the box the following year.

Enjoy your christmas celebration and start a new tradition this year by organizing your Christmas items to make it a very Merry Christmas!

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer that shows you how to take the stress out of everyday life. Visit her at Organizing and Cleaning Tips and Hints and get your free pamphlets and checklists to guide you along the way. Easy tips and hints on organizing and cleaning

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